NIU’s Liberal Arts and Sciences department bought 100 new computers that will provide students and teachers with hands-on experience with some of the newest computer technology.

The computers, which cost more than $60,000, will be used partly by the journalism department for its reporting and graphics classes. The computers will be used also by the professors in the department as a correcting tool that should prove to be quicker and easier, said assistant journalism professor Richard Digby-Junger.

“The journalism department paid for one-third of the cost of the computers,” said Digby-Junger, who also served on the committee that advised the purchase of the computers. “We feel very fortunate to have received these computers, and will use them to their best ability.”

The 24 computers will be located in Reavis Hall and will be available to students in the journalism department. Three other computers will be used as part of some graphics classes.

“Considering the abilities of the computers bought by the journalism department at NIU, they received a type of computer that has a considerable amount of power for a less expensive price,” said Jim Shipley, an account executive from P.C. Craft, the company who sold the computers.

The biggest advantage of the new computers will be the chance for students to use modern technology rather than the out-of-date electric typewriters, said assistant journalism professor Russ Elder.

“Many employers are looking for graduate students who are computer-literate and have experience with the Pagemaker system,” Elder said. “We will now be able to give our students that experience.”

Both the English and sociology departments have expressed interest in the remaining computers, but have not formally received them.